Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location Edinburgh, London, Manchester About the job Job summary The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has a number of exciting Economic Intern opportunities for enthusiastic economics graduates and students who are keen to develop their knowledge, technical skills and experience within a diverse, inclusive and international organisation dedicated to promoting competition for the benefit of consumers. Economics is at the heart of the CMAs work and the work of our economists really matters and makes a difference to peoples everyday lives. Recent cases have included: Assessing the potential impact on consumers of high profile mergers such as Microsoft/Activision and Vodafone/3; Taking action against drug companies accused of imposing unfair prices to the NHS; Undertaking major market studies into the cloud services market and the market for housebuilding; Investigating concerns over misleading green claims and pricing in the groceries sector. See our Candidate Information Pack to learn more about the CMA. Job description CMA economists also ensure the competition implications of policies are considered through the work of functions including the Subsidy Advice Unit and the Office for the Internal Market. The CMA also has established the Microeconomics Unit, in Darlington, to lead economic research into competition, innovation, productivity and related issues. A demonstrable interest in microeconomics, industrial organisation or competition economics will stand you in good stead to work on a variety of different cases and projects across the CMA. With the support of senior economists in their team, our Economics Interns have the opportunity to provide critical inputs for the CMA decision-making process by developing economic theories to assess competitive effects in markets, testing these theories through the analysis of a wide range of evidence and drawing conclusions from this analysis to present them to colleagues and decision-makers. The CMA prides itself on being a great place to work and strives to ensure that staff have the opportunity to grow and expand their skills portfolio. Economics Interns are encouraged to take part in a wide range of learning and development opportunities available to the economics community, which includes training courses, lunchtime seminars and discussion groups on economics topics. We will also support you to develop your communication and drafting skills while at the CMA. This is a good opportunity to gain unique experience, giving Economics Interns useful tools to go on to apply for future permanent positions within the CMA, as has been the case for many Interns in the past. We welcome applications from candidates that have, or are in their final year on track to graduate with an upper second-class undergraduate degree with a strong microeconomics component or a postgraduate economics qualification, as well as students in the penultimate year of their undergraduate degree interested in a summer internship or placement as part of their sandwich course. In return the CMA is a hugely diverse, rewarding and stimulating place to work an opportunity to work for the public good and to stretch and develop yourself in doing so. We offer a range of flexible working options (including part-time and compressed hours) and, like many other organisations, operate a hybrid working model with a mix of office and home working. We believe this supports us to deliver our best work while allowing the flexibility to maintain balanced and healthy lives. Key responsibilities will include the following: Engage with senior economists to develop the economic analysis in their projects, including developing economic theories to explain how competition can be affected and gathering evidence (such as drafting data or other information requests and survey questionnaires). Support the delivery of economic analysis under the guidance of more senior economists. This may include carrying out industry research, compiling datasets and analysing them; critically assessing and interpreting evidence and submissions; identifying relevant academic papers or other publicly available sources. Manage own time to ensure work is delivered to the agreed timescale, ensuring managers are kept informed of relevant analysis and potential risks or limitations. Establish working relationships with colleagues across different professions in the CMA and with external stakeholders (such as parties to the investigation/inquiry) Provide economic support on your project and present analysis, both orally and in writing, to teams that may include a non-technical audience. To find out more about this opportunity and about working for the CMA, please see below and click on the APPLY button. Further details on the CMA can be found on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter pages. Application closing date: 11.55pm on Monday 20th January 2025. Person specification It is essential that you can provide evidence and examples for each of the following selection criteria in your application. For tips on how to make the most your application, please have a look at our guidance document. 1) At least an upper second-class undergraduate degree with a strong microeconomics component (or to be in your penultimate year of your undergraduate course and on track to graduate with an upper-second class undergraduate degree) (Lead Criteria). 2) Interest, knowledge and understanding of microeconomics, industrial organisation or competition economics (Lead Criteria). 2 To be answered and scored using the technical economics question within the application. You don't need to answer this in your Personal Statement. 3) Ability to research, design, develop and deliver economic analysis to tight deadlines with experience of gathering, summarising and presenting information to a high standard. 4) Sound verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to produce documents that can be tailored to non-technical audiences. 5) Ability to establish and manage working relationships and to work in teams to deliver successful outcomes. Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Making Effective Decisions Delivering at Pace Communicating and Influencing Working Together Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: An understanding of microeconomics, industrial organisation or competition economics Benefits Alongside your salary of £25,300, Competition & Markets Authority contributes £7,329 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. As well as the interesting and varied work youll do to contribute to effective competition in the UK, and to ensure consumers get a good deal when buying goods and services, youll also benefit from: An exceptionally generous pension scheme with a significant employer contribution and range of options, including a tax-free lump sum at the point of retirement and injury, ill-health and life assurance benefits 25 days leave (increasing to 30 days over five years), plus 8 public holidays and an additional day off for the Kings birthday. In addition, youll be able to access a wide range of other types of leave as and when you need it, including generous maternity, paternity, shared parental leave and adoption options, as well as paid special leave for volunteering Season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, flu vaccinations and eye tests Access to the Civil Service Sports & Leisure, giving discounted gym membership, high street discounts, free access to UK wide attractions and a free Tastecard A range of wellbeing benefits, including an employee assistance programme, flexible working options and family friendly policies, regular networking events and professional learning opportunities at work. Any move to the CMA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/. If youre already a civil servant being appointed on level transfer, youll retain your existing terms, including annual leave. Where youre being promoted, however, youll receive the greater of a 10% pay increase or the new grade minimum. Applicants new to the civil service may be considered for appointment at a salary higher than the starting point indicated above (depending on skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications). The CMA, like many other organisations, have moved to a hybrid working model with a mix of office and home working. We believe this supports us to deliver our best work while allowing the flexibility to maintain balanced and healthy lives. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We want a diverse workforce that reflects the consumers we serve. We welcome applications from under-represented groups, including ethnically diverse people, people with a disability, people with diverse gender identities and from people of different ages. The CMA is an accredited Disability Confident Employer. Disabled applicants meeting the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview. Our Candidate Information Pack offers more detail. Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills. The selection process will comprise of the Sift (CV & application review), and an interview. An initial sift based on lead criteria 1 and 2 may be held if a large number of applications are received. If your application then progresses to a full sift, all elements of the essential criteria listed under Person Specification of the role profile will then be considered. The sifting dates are Tuesday 21st January Tuesday 28th January 2024. If your application is successful, you will be invited to attend an interview. You will be notified via email to log-in to your Civil Service Account to book your interview slot. You will then be sent an email with full details of your arrangements for interview. Interviews will be held from the Wednesday 5th February 2025. Interviews will he held either at the London CMA office or if unable to attend in-person, a virtual interview via MS Teams will be available, but would encourage in-person where possible. As part of the interview process you will give a short presentation and conduct a panel interview (45 minutes - 1 hour) where you will be asked questions based on Behaviours, Technical skills and Experience outlined in the role profile. If you have any inquiries relating to your application, you can email recruitmentcma.gov.uk. For additional help, please see our Application Tips and Guidance. Reasonable adjustments: In order for a person with disabilities not to be put at a disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you are deaf, a Language Service Professional. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : CMA Recruitment Team Email : recruitmentcma.gov.uk Telephone : 0208 738 6808 Recruitment team Email : recruitmentcma.gov.uk Further information If your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact Recruitmentcma.gov.uk in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk. Attachments CMA3080 Economics Intern - Role Profile Opens in new window (pdf, 187kB) Share this page Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMail